Transferring Made Easy!
Whether you’re looking for greater opportunities, a stronger sense of community, or a clear path to earning your degree, you’ll find a place where your previous hard work is valued and your future goals are within reach at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿.
As one of the nation’s top Catholic colleges and home to the best Student Life among Iowa private colleges (Niche 2026), Loras is committed to helping you thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Because when our students succeed, they make a lasting impact on our campus, their communities, and the world.
By requesting information, I authorize ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ to contact me by email, phone, or text at the number provided. By providing your number, you consent to receive notifications from this organization. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Message and data rates may apply.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Transferring does not have to be complicated. Our team is dedicated to making your experience easy. We will help make sure you know how much it will cost you and how long it will take you to graduate.
Ways to Apply
If you’ve enrolled and completed college courses after graduating high school, you are likely a transfer student. Use the links below to officially apply to Loras.
- Our free, official application: 
- Find us on the 
Acceptance Requirements
We have a rolling admissions policy, which means we review applications throughout the year and will make an admissions decision within two weeks of receiving the completed application and all college transcripts.
Criteria for admission is based on a student’s cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale referenced through a transcript from all colleges attended. Our minimum GPA requirement for acceptance is a 2.5. Students who have below a 2.5 GPA are still encouraged to apply and will be considered through our director review process.
TRANSFER CREDIT PROCESS
Loras accepts credit for baccalaureate-level, academic coursework from accredited* colleges and universities. Credits may count as electives if Loras does not have the exact equivalent to the course you want to transfer. The minimum transferrable grade for academic credit is a C-. Credit is not awarded for any vocational/technical training, athletic, and continuing education units (CEU).
Completion of an AA or an AS degree releases you from most general education requirements. If you are close to completing an AA or AS degree, you may still be able to have most of general education courses waived through our Reverse Transfer Policy.
*Accredited refers to those institutions that have been granted accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education recognized institutional accreditor, such as the Higher Learning Commission.
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ repeatedly ranks as one of Iowa’s most affordable college, offering a wide variety of awards based on a comprehensive review of your materials. This includes program awards based on merit, financial need, and interests.
To maximize your financial aid opportunities, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (), available online after the first of December.
The following is a list of current awards for full-time undergraduate transfer students.
Transfer Achievement Awards
| Grade Point Average (GPA) | ||
| 3.8+ | $24,000 | |
| 3.5-3.79 | $23,000 | |
| 3.0-3.49 | $22,000 | |
| 2.75-2.99 | $21,000 | |
| Below 2.75 | $20,000 |
Additional Scholarships for Transfers
| First-Generation Scholarship | $1,000/year based on financial need | |
| St. Cecilia Music Scholarship | Up To $3,000/year | |
| Carver Scholarship | Min 2.80 GPA | $7,600/year |
| Honors Scholarship | Min 3.5 GPA | $1,000 |
| Loras Sibling Award | Per Sibling Until Youngest Graduates | $2,500/year |
| Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship | Two Years Total (if in good standing) | $1,000/year |
Tuition-Free Promise
Iowa residents eligible to receive the Pell Grant and Iowa Tuition Grant will have their total tuition needs met by the Loras Promise during their entire Loras experience. Students must meet the criteria listed below. Qualifying students are not required to live on campus.
- Iowa resident
- Students must be Pell Grant and Iowa Tuition Grant eligible
- Meet satisfactory academic progress: quality of the student’s GPA, credit completion, and timely graduation
- Registered as a full-time undergraduate student (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
- Be admitted to the college and file the FAFSA
- Pell eligibility will be reviewed each year to maintain the scholarship
Housing, meals, and fees are not included in the Loras Promise, however, we are committed to helping you meet your financial needs through other forms of aid. These additional forms of aid include campus employment/work study, student loans, and payment plans.
If your eligibility for the Iowa Tuition Grant or the Pell Grant would change, Loras will still provide you a generous financial aid award.
LAUNCH INTO LORAS & ORIENTATION
During Orientation, you’ll meet with an academic advisor, finalize your class schedule, receive your campus ID, connect with fellow students, and get to know life at Loras. But your transition doesn’t stop there. Through a dedicated Launch into Loras program and first-semester course designed specifically for transfer students, you’ll build connections, discover campus resources, and gain the confidence to make a smooth transition to your new home.
CAMPUS LIFE
At Loras, transferring means more than finding your next school: it means finding your people. Classmates become close collaborators, professors become mentors who support your goals, and connections form quickly within a welcoming community. Check out some of the campus resources available to all students.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
One of the biggest differences at Loras is how much the professors want you to do the work and get those real-world, hands-on experiences. The skills I learn in the classroom often can be applied in my internship and soon my career.
— Isabella (’27)
LETTER TO SELF
This is a tradition that Loras students enjoy each year. When they arrive on campus, they are asked to write themselves a letter to read before they graduate.